Dean looked over at Castiel with a frown. "A date? Where?"
"It's a surprise," Castiel replied. "Left up here."
Dean flipped the turn signal on, still frowning. Castiel had forced him to go through Springfield. "Cas-"
"I had to choose here because I know you don't like major cities like Chicago," Castiel smiled over at Dean, making Dean's lips twitch with the want to smile. He refused, though. Cas was being stubborn. "Of course, Chicago has a better place than this one, but I can settle with this one. Maybe we can go to Chicago's someday... I'd like that." Castiel's voice made it seem like he was grinning now. Suspicions of a smile were confirmed when Dean glanced over. "Right up here."
"Did you memorize the map or something?"
"Maybe."
Dean laughed. "You're such a nerd," he teased, reaching out to grab Castiel's hand.
"Says the man who knows everything about Star Trek and Indiana Jones."
"Hey! That's geeky stuff," Dean pouted. "Not nerdy."
"Not nerdy," Castiel laughed. "Okay, okay."
Dean grinned and followed the rest of Castiel's instructions blindly.
He pulled up to an art museum.
"Really, babe? Art?" Dean frowned at the building as he parked. "Have you even met me?"
"Yes, I have, and I think you will like it." Castiel grabbed Dean's hand and kissed his knuckles, making Dean smile again. Damn this guy for making him smile when he didn't want to. "Just try it. Please?"
Dean considered Castiel for a moment, lips pursed in a straight line, before sighing. "Fine."
Castiel grinned and lurched forward, lips smashing against Dean's and tearing at them. "Thank you. Come on, let's get in there."
Dean smiled and watched Castiel get out of the car, one hand on the keys to pull them from the ignition. This man would be the end of Dean, he already knew it. Cas was too good.
***
Castiel stared at the art in front of him, chewing on his lip. This was more boring than he'd expected, but at least Dean seemed to be enjoying himself. His eyes moved to the man beside him and he suddenly found him more interesting than anything in front of him.
Dean was sucking on his bottom lip as his eyes wandered the artwork in front of him, hands stuffed in his pants pockets. His green eyes were sparkling, Castiel realized slowly. They were crinkled at the edge and sparkling with fascination. It made Castiel smile. As they stood there, Castiel studying Dean, Dean studying the painting, Castiel felt a weird feeling of happiness swell up in his chest. His eyes fell from Dean's face for a second, dragging down his form before shoot back up.
Was this the thing he'd only written about and heard of?
He and Dean had only been together for a few days... This couldn't be. It was impossible, unless love at first sight was real.
"Do I have something on my face?" Dean asked softly. "You've been staring at me."
Castiel felt his cheeks redden and scratched his neck. "Sorry," he apologized sheepishly. "I- just- uh-"
"It's fine, you know."
"I just liked the fascination in your eyes. It made them sparkle and it kept showing itself in your face too. When you do something you put your all into it and it's something I like, something that I enjoy seeing. You even put your all into looking, Dean... It's- uh- interesting. Beautiful, even, if you don't mind my association of you and the feminine word. You're beautiful, I guess, is what I'm trying to say." Castiel found himself rambling and he couldn't force himself to stop. "The fascination you get with simple things, such as this portrait, is something of beauty and something I'd like to enjoy when I can. You're something I like to enjoy when I can, and I just wonder if it's vice-versa. I'm babbling- uh- sorry- I-"
Lips pressed to Castiel's in the empty room, only the eyes of the paintings on them.
"Nice way of saying 'Shut up,'" Castiel whispered against Dean's lips.
"My pleasure," Dean smiled, kissing him again in a way that melted Castiel's composure as though it was a popsicle in the sun on a hot day. "Now, to answer your implied question. I do like to enjoy you, Castiel." The way Dean said his name made the balloon of happiness swell even more. "Too much. I watch you just as much as you watch me."
Castiel just stared at Dean, hands on the man's scratchy cheeks. "Dean-"
"Possibly even more," Dean shrugged slightly, letting his forehead rest against Castiel's. "So don't ever worry about that. Okay? Promise me?"
"I promise," Castiel whispered, smile forming on his lips again. "I promise."
"Good. Now I'm down to one promise."
Castiel laughed and kissed Dean again, trying to recreate that melting, sweet kiss.
